Sellers of brake pads, please note that South Korea is strictly investigating such products!

South Korea has recently stepped up efforts to inspect the quality and safety of products sold online. Now, a new batch of problematic products has been found. Sellers of similar products should be careful!

The South Korean Consumer Agency announced on the 4th that it had tested harmful substances in 30 types of motorcycle brake pads sold on multiple e-commerce platforms and found asbestos in one of the products .

Motorcycle brake pads found to contain white asbestos

The product was manufactured in China by “CHONG AIK INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD” ( a Singaporean company specializing in the production of motorcycle parts and accessories ) , and the amount of asbestos detected was approximately 3% of the weight of the friction material .

Inhalation of powdered asbestos can cause diseases such as asbestosis , lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma during the latent period , so asbestos has been designated as a banned substance in most countries including South Korea . In South Korea, the use of asbestos is prohibited under the Asbestos Safety Management Act .

In addition, lead was detected in four products , with the highest content being 1.45 times the limit of hazardous substances for automobiles ( 1,000 mg/kg).

Four brake pads with lead detected

Lead is a typical harmful heavy metal that can damage the nervous system and cause headaches, abdominal pain and hearing impairment, and may lead to problems such as decreased intellectual development, loss of appetite, anemia and muscle weakness in children . The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC) of the World Health Organization ( WHO) classifies lead as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B).

Brake pads slow down and brake the vehicle through friction with the contact surface of the brake. If products that have been detected to contain harmful substances are used, there is a possibility that people will inhale the harmful substances through the dust generated during friction .

In particular, motorcycles use brake pads more frequently than cars due to their more maneuverable nature .

Based on the results of this investigation, the Korean Consumer Agency advises manufacturers and sellers of brake friction materials that have been found to contain harmful substances to take the initiative to correct them.

According to Korea Business Daily, the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Customs Service will also make improvements and precautions based on the results of this inspection . For example , friction materials such as motorcycle brake pads will be subject to hazardous substance safety standards . At the same time, they will strengthen import circulation management and supervision and other measures. Sellers of such products should pay attention!

South Korea

Brake Pads

Hazardous substances